1/2/2021 Fishing Report
January 02, 2021 Punta Gorda 1 photo
Pompano
Pompano
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout

Trip Summary

Captain Rich Damianos of Reel Rich Fishing Charters, Departing out of Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda,Florida reported the fishing as very good on Charlotte Harbor for this report for the week ending 1/2/21. After battling back to back blustery cold fronts since our last report it looks like our weather patterns may start settling down a bit heading into the new year. Long range forecast are showing temperatures in the 70s to low 80s with sunny sky’s and favorable winds. Our water temperatures have really dropped off over the last couple weeks as we now see the low 60s dominating the inshore and near gulf waters. This is a full ten degrees cooler then a month ago and has mostly positioned our fish into their winter areas. The Trout action has just been getting better and better all week long on Charlotte Harbor. Fish are transitioning to winter areas and they are feeding eagerly as they go. The trick to success with trout right now is to slow down, working your swim bait along the bottom so that it is ticking the grass is having the best results. On todays charter we used this tactic to swing over 100 trout over the rails. Sheepshead are moving in and we are starting pick them up along the mangroves in the Pine Island Sound area. Sheepshead fishing will continue to improve over the next few weeks. Traditional post up and soaking of large shrimp or cut lady fish fish have been working well for Redfish with a few snook mixed in as well . Getting the bait up under the shade line is key especially when the sun is high. The water is really clearing up right now and you have to keep in stealth mode while approaching key areas. We have been getting some good sized reds for this time of year too. Flounder, Pompano ,Jacks and lady fish continued to round out a good mixed catch this time of year on Charlotte Harbor. One key aspect to fishing right now is to slow down and look for deeper grass ares. covering a lot of areas until you find the the bite is still important but you don’t want to fish so fast that you fish right over good concentrations of fish. With the temporary closure of trout,snook and redfish clients are still looking to get a few filets for dinner and while sheepshead and mangrove snapper are common and great eating for inshore anglers there are also other overlooked fish that are also excellent eating when properly handled and processed. Shovel Nose Shark also known as Bonnet Head Sharks are very good eating as well as Crevalle Jacks both are very common catches this time of year and are worthy of a try. We have open dates for 4,6 and 8 hour inshore charters here on Charlotte Harbor so if your in the Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda Florida and surrounding area and would like to get out on Charlotte Harbor Reach out to us Here on FishingBooker.
Rich Damianos
Punta-gorda, Florida, United States
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Whether you’re looking for some relaxing inshore fishing, itching for a fight of a lifetime with Sharks, or trying to tick off the Silver King from your bucket list, Reel Rich Fishing has you covered. Located in one of the hottest fishing spots in t...

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